by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Milan Melindo who lost a twelve round decision to tough and talented Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada in a battle for the WBO/WBA flyweight titles in Macau on July 27, 2013 has easily dropped down to light flyweight and has earned a crack at IBF champion Javier Mendoza in Mexico on May 30.
ALA Promotions patron Tony Aldeguer told the New Standard/BoxingScene.com that Melindo who has been training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles under trainer Edmund Villamor and strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson is in super condition and “better than he’s ever been.”
Aldeguer said Melindo and his team will drive to Tijuana on the 25th with ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who is in the US working on plans for two fights cards in California, set to follow them later.
Melindo is a skilful boxer who depends on his ring savvy to prevail but against a puncher like Mendoza he will have to be at his best since the Mexican will be fighting before a hometown crowd in his first defense on the title mhe won by a twelve round unanimous decision against former WBO light flyweight champion Ramon Garcia Hirales who lost his title to Donnie “Ahas” Nietes in Bacolod City on October 8, 2011.
Mendoza who is 24 has a record of 23-2-1 with 19 knockouts which gives fans an idea of his punching power.
Fighting for the first time since June 2013. Mendoza dropped Ramon Garcia Hirales twice en route to a comfortable twelve round decision to capture the vacant IBF world light flyweight title on September 20, 2014 before scoring a 2nd round TKO over Mauricio Fuentes on January 10 this year.
In a fight marred by several low blows, Mendoza was the aggressor and decked Garcia Hirales with a huge left in round five and rocked him again and dropped him late in round 9.
Melindo who dropped down to light flyweight after losing a twelve round unanimous decision to Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau on July 27, 2013 earned the mandatory title shot with an impressive twelve round unanimous decision over world ranked Saul Juarez on November 15 last year.